Can I Borrow $100?

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Can I Borrow $100?

Tim was disappointed that his father didn't attend the
last soccer game of the season, but he wasn't
surprised. Tim was a mature 10-year-old and he
understood that lots of clients depended on his dad,
who had to work most nights and weekends. Still, it
made him sad, especially since this year he won the
league's most valuable player award.

One evening Tim got up the nerve to interrupt his
father's work to ask him how much lawyers actually
make per hour. His father was annoyed and gruffly
answered, "Well, they pay me $300 an hour."

Tim gulped and said, "Wow, that's a lot. Would you
lend me $100?"

"Of course not," his father barked. "Please, let me
work."

Later, the father felt guilty and went to Tim's room
where he found him sobbing. "Son," he said, "I'm
sorry. If you need money of course I'll lend it to
you. But can I ask why?"

Tim said, "Daddy, I know your time is really worth a
lot and with the $200 I already have, I'll have
enough. Can I buy an hour so you can come to the
awards banquet on Friday?"

It hit his father like a punch to the heart when he
realized his son needed him even more than his clients
did and that he needed to be there for his son more
than he needed money or career accolades. He hugged
his son and said, "I'm so proud of you, nothing could
keep me away."

Lots of parents are stretched to their limit trying to
balance business demands and family needs. It's always
a matter of priorities. But if we don't arrange our
lives to be there for our children, they will regret
it--and after it's too late, so will we.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character
counts.